Kuala Lumpur to Phnom Penh

Why go to Phnom Penh

Easily one of the least developed capitals of South East Asia, Phnom Penh has its own special charm and it is not a rare case when travellers who planned to make just a quick acquaintance with the city on their way to some more exciting destinations end up hanging around for weeks if not months. With wide leafy boulevards, exquisite Buddhist temples and a beautiful riverside promenade Phnom Penh has a distinct – if vanishing – French fleur which may soon be overshadowed by mushrooming high-rises and new Western-style shopping malls.

From Kuala Lumpur to Phnom Penh

Taking into account that the distance from Kuala Lumpur to Phnom Penh is 2100 km, the fastest, most reasonable and convenient way to travel between the two capitals is to fly. Flying time is approximately two hours. That said, you can easily get from Malaysia to Cambodia overland, taking in a large part of Thailand en route. It is an interesting journey which will allow you to see great cultural diversity between the southern and central parts of Thailand and include different types of activities into your itinerary. Expect to spend at least from seven to ten days to get to your destination.

Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Phnom Penh

Four flights a day connect Kuala Lumpur to Phnom Penh. The route is served by the leading Asian low cost airline AirAsia and a major Malaysian carrier, Malaysian Airlines. Both have one flight in the morning (6.45am and 9.30am respectively) and one more – in the afternoon (3pm and 4.05pm). AirAsia is normally sells tickets for half the price Malaysian Airlines does (USD45 vs USD90) and flies from KLIA2, the second terminal at KLIA, located some two km from the main terminal building. To get to the terminals, use KLIA Ekspress or KLIA Transit (MYR55, 28 minutes) or opt for a cheaper shuttle bus (MYR10, one hour), originating from KL Sentral.

Note that checked baggage is not included into your ticket price either with AirAsia or with Malaysian Airlines. For your reference, a 20 kg bag with AirAsia will cost you USD16; Malaysian Airlines offer the same service for USD28. With AirAsia you have options of 20 kg, 25 kg (USD18), 30 kg (USD32) and 40 kg (USD64), while Malaysian Airlines leave you with the choice of 20 kg and 40 kg (USD56).

Both AirAsia and Malaysian Airlines fly to Phnom Penh International Airport located 10 km west of the capital. The easiest way to get from the airport to the city is by taxi. There are official taxis waiting for passengers right in front of the arrival hall. Use these ones and do not let obtrusive touts inside the terminal building persuade you to go with them. The official rate from the airport to the city is from USD9 (Riverside) to USD12. Ask for the ticket before you get into the taxi. The price is for the whole vehicle, not per person.

Tuk-tuks offer a cheaper ride – USD7 (official rate), and it falls down to USD5 as soon as you get out of the airport gates. A motorbike taxi is a budget friendly option for travellers without too much luggage (USD2). Public bus (Line 03; less than USD1) can also be considered especially if you are heading to the Central market or Night market areas and are not in a hurry as the trip can take up to one hour due to heavy traffic and stops.

From Kuala Lumpur to Phnom Penh overland

Travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Phnom Penh overland makes for a good travel itinerary which can include a couple of lazy days on the beach, a colourful culinary experience, an acquaintance with the bustling Thai capital and a visit to one of the most impressive temple complexes in the world. Go by bus, make use of the night trains, do some island hopping by ferry and enjoy your trip. Here is one of the possible itineraries to follow.

Going north from Kuala Lumpur, your obvious stop on the Malaysian side is Penang. You can get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang by bus or train (four hours; from MYR60/USD15) and spend a day or two checking a foodie’s paradise full of Malay, Chinese and Indian flavours. Another great idea is to go from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh first (three hours; from MYR25/USD6) and to check whether Pangkor Island is as good as they say. From Ipoh you can then proceed to Penang (two hours; MYR30/USD8) or leave the largest Malaysian island behind and take a bus from Butterworth to Hat Yai (four hours; MYR35/USD8.5) crossing the border between Malaysia and Thailand.

Tip The majority of nationalities get a free 15- or 30-day stamp while entering Thailand; but some need to apply for their visa in advance or get one on arrival. Always check visa requirements for your passport not to get in trouble at the border.

There is not much to do in Hat Yai, so you may want to move up north, reaching Suratthani by bus or train, to take a ferry to the islands of the Gulf. There is a very convenient combination transfer from Suratthani town operated by Raja Ferry which delivers you to Koh Samui in about five hours, waiting time at transfer points included (THB440/USD13). There is an inter-island service wish you check Koh Phangan and Koh Tao (recommended).

Back to the mainland, take a night train to Bangkok (12 hours; THB1000/USD30) to get the taste of a railroad journey in Thailand. Enjoy your stay in the Thai capital, whatever you choose to do: admire elaborate wats, explore the maze of Bangkok’s Chinatown, rave in the best night clubs or gaze at the city lights by night from one of its numerous elegant rooftop bars.

When you have it enough, take the international bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap (9 hours; THB870/USD25) and pay homage to the temples of Angkor and their incomparable beauty.

Tip While exiting Thailand is easy, entering Cambodia is inevitably makes you face one of a handful visa scams. You may be asked to apply for your visa in a fake Cambodian consulate or to pay for a ‘quick lane’ at the Cambodian immigration. Not to fail victim of the most popular visa scams, read our tip on Bangkok to Siem Reap page.

A bus trip from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh takes about seven hours. To save on accommodation, opt for a night bus (USD15; sleeper buses are available).

All in all, the overland journey from Kuala Lumpur to Phnom Penh makes for an itinerary to be considered. Not only see you the three countries from the window of your bus or a railway carriage; you can also get in touch with the culture and do a lot of diverse activities – from sightseeing to local food tasting and lazy sea vacationing.

Getting around in Phnom Penh

If you have traveled at least a bit anywhere in Cambodia, you may have noticed that the Khmers know no modesty as far as the width of their roads is concerned. This local love for expansions makes Phnom Penh tough for covering on foot. Tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis are ubiquitous and plentiful; they are an affordable and easy way to get around the city. Expect to pay from USD1 to USD3 for a tuk-tuk ride, even less for a motorbike taxi.

Renting a scooter is also an option in Phnom Penh. Daily rates are about USD5. Note that helmets are a must, traffic is chaotic and accidents with casualties are not unheard of. Rent only if you are an experienced rider – we mean with some experience in Asian countries.

There are public buses in Phnom Penh. Tickets cost less than USD0.5 per trip. The most useful route is Line 03 which stops at the International Airport, Central Market and Night Market. Line 01 combined with some walking brings you to the Royal Palace and National Museum.

Where to stay in Phnom Penh

For a short-term stay in Phnom Penh, the most convenient area to stay is the riverfront. There is a wide choice of accommodations in all price ranges, all coming with excellent river views and proximity to all the restaurants, cafes and shops Sisowath Quay can offer for a visitor to enjoy the city.

If you are planning to stay in Phnom Penh more than just a couple of days, always check weekly and monthly rates. Many guesthouses offer discounts for longer stays and you can save considerably if giving your host a notice in advance.

For over a month long stay, look for apartments for rent. Many landlords ask for a minimum stay of two month but you can always negotiate. Normally a modest studio with some sort of a kitchen will cost you about USD100 less than a room in a guesthouse for the same period.

Things to do in Phnom Penh

Have a look at the darkest years of Khmer history in Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum or venture further afield to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. Savour Phnom Penh’s – alas! – rapidly vanishing French flavour, indulge in world-wide cuisine offered in its fancy restaurants at half the price you pay anywhere else or absorb the local colours visiting markets and people-watching. There is an abundance of worth-seeing places of interest around Phnom Penh, easily explored during a day trip, including Phinom Chisor, a stunning example of the Angkorian period temples, or Koh Dach, the Silk Island, where you can witness the process of silk weaving and buy some of the finest textiles in Cambodia. All in all, architectural wonders, busy nightlife venues and shopping opportunities galore in Phnom Penh. It may not become your favourite city in Asia, but Phnom Penh definitely deserves a closer look.

Onward travel from Phnom Penh

Going further southwest from Phnom Penh, in 2½ hours you can reach a beautiful town of Kampot or, if longing for the beach, head to a seaside resort of Sihanoukville (4½ hours) with picturesque island of Koh Rong within an easy reach. Venturing southeast, you get to Vietnam and its bustling southern city of Saigon (6½ hours). All of the above mentioned destinations are easily reached by bus though you can definitely choose to fly to Ho Chi Minh, too: the route is served by Cambodia Angkor Air.